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On the eve of the latest Superman movie, "Man of Steel," comes news that a comic book featuring the superhero's first-ever appearance just sold on comic book marketplace ComicConnect.com for $175,000 -- and that's considered a bargain for the comic book in question.

Two years ago, another copy of the 1938 Action Comics No. 1 sold for more than $2 million. This one, found by a Minnesota man in the wall of a house he was rebuilding, started off in less than mint condition and suffered further damage when the back cover was ripped off in an argument shortly after its discovery.

The renewed focus on Superman in the run-up to his movie reboot surely played a role in driving up the bidding price, as did the media attention surrounding its unusual provenance. But of course, what really made it so valuable is its utter rarity, with less than a hundred original copies estimated to still exist. So it's unlikely that you'll be finding a copy in your grandma's attic or hidden in a wall (or, for that matter, in a cornfield in Kansas).

Buy quality. On rare occasions, you'll find a screaming deal in a bargain box or at a garage sale. More often, the best bets are made on high-quality comics that are valuable because they're tied to something in the broader culture (e.g., "The Walking Dead") or because they introduce a new character or signify some other major change.

Buy rarity. Sometimes, special events are so well-advertised that everyone buys the same comic book. I can think of no better example than "Superman" No. 75 from 1992, in which the titular character dies. A special bagged edition is guide-valued at $20, but you'll find plenty of copies on eBay selling for far less. Why? Millions are still available. By contrast, when "The Walking Dead" first hit comic book shops in October 2003, you had to be one of the lucky 7,000 to buy a copy.

Don't be afraid to sell. Comics get hot just like stocks. Assess whether the spike is due to an unsubstantiated rumor (e.g., someone's cousin showed this comic to a studio executive!) or a new character or major event that's suddenly taken on wider meaning. Hold only the comics likely to maintain or grow their value, and harvest the rest to raise cash for new buys. How can you tell when a comic book has intrinsic value? Take "Iron Man" No. 55 as an example, which introduces the cosmic villain Thanos. The 1973 comic sells for $1,000 now that Marvel has established Thanos as a big-screen adversary who could next appear in 2014's "Guardians of the Galaxy."

Which new series are most likely to bring enterprising investors these sorts of riches? Here are five worth checking out.

Alcon Entertainment recently picked up the TV rights to to the series, described as a horror comic for non-horror fans, and self-published by creator Terry Moore. The drawback, says InvestComics' Katz, is that there's no showrunner or network partner yet. Wait for more news regarding the TV show before buying Issue No. 1, which already guides above $50. Instead, try picking up a few later issues and then scour eBay and specialty sites such as ComicsPriceGuide.com for sales.

Another horror comic book from creators Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez that is released in story arcs collected into miniseries. The first, released in 2008, sold out quickly enough that a second print was commissioned immediately. Expect to pay upward of $50 to get an early edition. Nevertheless, Katz says investors should be in "buying mode" for this series, saying it's only a matter of time before News Corp.'s (NWSA) 21st Century Fox -- which authorized a pilot -- or another studio brings the series to TV.

Writer Warren Ellis and artist Adi Granov teamed up to create the Extremis storyline that informs "Iron Man 3." Don't be surprised if Ellis -- whose film credits include providing the source material for "Red" and the forthcoming sequel "Red 2" -- is asked to develop material for future films in the "Iron Man" series. Most of these issues are selling for $10 or less right now.

When Marvel and Disney bring "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" to the big screen next April, they'll be drawing from an acclaimed four-year run of the "Captain America" comic book series authored by Ed Brubaker. Most of these issues can be had for $20 or less.

This is a more speculative bet, since "Walking Dead" co-creator Robert Kirkman has optioned the TV rights to this comic book about a master thief trying to start a new life. Prices vary for early issues, but this is a hot book, so don't be surprised if you have to pay $70 or more for Issue No. 1. But even then, the price may be worth it, says Katz, who argues that there's "no doubt" AMC will bring Kirkman's creation to life on television.